Grant-writing is a fundamental professional skill for many careers. On this page, you can get support for developing this skill by looking at a successful grant, learning about the grant-writing process, or taking a self-paced grant-writing workshop.
Successful grants library
Seeing examples of funded grant proposals can be very helpful when writing your own grant proposal. We have a library of NIH grants written by UCSF trainees in basic, clinical, and social science fields (the UCSF Library also has K awards). We have successful grants awarded in the last five years for the following NIH grant mechanisms:
- F30 (dual-degree predoctoral fellowship)
- F31 (predoctoral fellowship)
- F32 (postdoctoral fellowship)
- K08 (mentored clinical science award)
- K23 (mentored patient-oriented research award)
- K99 (pathway to independence award)
What to expect: Within approximately one week of your request, we will share with you a PDF of a successful grant proposal in the mechanism you request. When possible, we will match the NIH institute or field. These PDFs are for personal use only and are not to be shared or posted anywhere. They will be watermarked with your name as a reminder of this policy. Our successful grants library is currently unavailable- for other sources of sample K grants please visit the library webpage https://guides.ucsf.edu/rdo/career.
Lectures and slides
Below are videos, slides, and resources from past seminars covering various grantsmanship topics and specific funding mechanisms.
Navigating the NIH Grant Application Process and the R01 Award
Are you confused by the NIH grant application and review process? In this lecture, you will learn about the NIH and be introduced to strategies for grant preparation and submission using the R01 grant as a model. First, we will give you a glimpse of NIH funding, an introduction to the structure of the NIH, and of the overall grant application and review processes. Strategies for preparing an R01 proposal will be presented.
- Video of lecture and faculty panel (starts at 05:28)
Writing Clear and Compelling Specific Aims
Grant proposals are complex pieces of persuasive writing that require considerable skill to produce. The specific aims section is a particularly critical component. These slides briefly introduce the general structure of a scientific grant proposal (primarily for the basic and biomedical sciences) and then focus on how to draft and refine your specific aims, by first analyzing sample specific aims and then revising your own. You will learn strategies for writing clearly and succinctly that can be applied to grant/fellowship proposals for various funding agencies.
Preparing a K99/R00 Award Application
The K99/R00 grant, also called the Pathway to independence Award, provides funding for the last 1-2 years of your postdoctoral research training, followed by transitional funding for up to 3 years once you obtain an independent research position. This funding mechanism is open to U.S. citizens and international postdocs. Although this training award is similar in many ways to other K awards, some distinct characteristics make it a different beast. In this session, a panel of UCSF faculty members who have served on K99/R00 study sections (this is what review panels are called) talk about what makes a fundable K99 proposal and what not to do. Additionally, a panel of K99 and R00 awardees will share tips and lessons learned.
International Postdocs: Finding Funding and Grant Writing Tips
Pivot is one of the most comprehensive searchable funding opportunities databases available, with approximately 40,000 opportunities that are private, federal and international in nature. In these slides you will be taught how to navigate through Pivot to easily explore various avenues of funding and set up an alert for updated funding opportunities. You can also view the slides prepared by a panel of international postdocs who have found funding to support their research.
Getting a Postdoctoral Fellowship - F32 and Beyond
NIH F32 fellowships for postdocs are just one of many different postdoc fellowship opportunities. This workshop includes words of wisdom from UCSF faculty who have served on fellowship review panels, and a panel of postdocs who have been awarded fellowships from NIH (F32), American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Brain Tumor Association, and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).
- Video of the workshop and panel (starts at 05:08)
- Getting a Postdoctoral Fellowship NIH F32 and Beyond panelists' slides
- Tips for Planning, Preparing, and Submitting Applications for NIH Fellowships and Research Grants
- Links to Information Helpful for Planning, Preparing and Submitting Applications for NIH Fellowships and Research Grants
Getting an NIH Pre-Doc Fellowship (F30/F31) for PhD and Dual Degree Students
Did you know that a pre-doctoral fellowship means more than money in your pocket? Applying for a pre-doctoral fellowship gives you the opportunity to revise and fine tune your research question, specific aims, significance, and methods. It is also an opportunity to get peer reviewed and increase your exposure to all who will look at your work. These slides feature an overview of how to develop a competitive fellowship application for the NIH F30 and F31 fellowships. You can also view the slides prepared by a panel of F30 and F31 awardees.
Preparing an NIH Mentored K Award Application
NIH mentored career development award programs provide an opportunity for postdocs and early-stage investigators who need additional mentored research experience to develop their independent research careers. These slides from Dr. Rick McGee present a general approach to writing K grants and go over the specific elements.
Courses
Grant Writing Workshop on Mentored Career Development Awards
This workshop is directed by Tom Mitchell, MPH, Program Faculty, School of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Scholars will pace themselves through the grant writing process through a series of five pre-recorded lectures. More info and resources on the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics website.
